Summer Buyer’s Guide: The Best Gear of 2014

Run

2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

What you need to perform at top speed when the heat is on.

—Justin Nyberg

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

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2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

Marmot Kompressor Speed Pack

When you need to replace a lot of water, the Speed ($99) offers a two-liter reservoir and a 17-ounce, taste-free Hydrapak bottle (below left) in one of the smartest, simplest hydration-pack designs you’ll find.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

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2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

Sugoi Titan Ice S/S Shirt

Sugoi claims that the supple, stretchy IceFil fabric reduces body heat by a whopping five degrees. That’s hard to prove, but testers reported that the shirt ($50) feels blissfully cool on the skin and wicks sweat as quickly as any lightweight synthetic shirt we’ve seen.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

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2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

PowerIce

Think Otter Pops for athletes. Slurp one of these two-ounce sports-drink slushies ($6) before your next run to lower your core temperature a bit. Or enjoy it after the kind of intense workout that leaves you sweating even after a shower.

2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

Balega Ultra Light No Show Socks

2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

Columbia Performance Zero Arm Sleeves

We can vouch for the sunblocking power (UPF 50-plus) and the incredibly efficient sweat wicking of these thin, breathable sleeves ($35). The Omni-Freeze system—tiny blue dots that expand slightly when wet—is designed to cool your skin by amplifying the evaporative process. It works, but the effect is fleeting.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

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2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

New Balance Sport Cooling Towel Pro

Chill out after a run by wetting this foamlike towel ($13) and hanging it around your neck. The hyperporous material allows for rapid evaporation, staying cool as long as it’s moist.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

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2014 Hot Weather Running Essentials

CW-X Stabilyx Ventilator Shorts

Even on the most scorching days, the big mesh panels over the top of the quads and the CoolMax wicking fabric (with 40-plus UPF) everywhere else kept these shorts ($80) climate controlled, while the firm compression helped our muscles stay fresh. If only they came in light, heat-reflecting colors.